"Do you think the Lethusian Empire can be destroyed?" he asked, walking to the edge of the balcony. He extended his hand and covered the tree that was smaller than his palm at this distance.
The dragon on the tree turned and met eyes with him.
{Well, look who's here...He...he... A nincompoop of the highest order!}
Not minding the sneering voice of the dragon that reached his ears, Maximus fisted his hand and closed his eyes. The image of two fully armored knights kneeling in front of a man came to his mind.
'This Oath, I thee...'
"No, it's not possible as long as Your Majesty is protecting the empire like a father," Matilda said in a crisp voice. Her long, slender fingers grabbed the hilt of the dagger she kept hidden in her bosom.
It seems like the gods are on my side to give me a chance. Rather than waiting for the hero, why shouldn't I do something?
She saw the broad back of the man staring into the horizon aimlessly. He seemed to be in his own thoughts.
Now is my chance! He wouldn't think that I'd come at him with a dagger anyway. I am merely a woman, right?
She picked her pace and aimed at his heart. She thought she'd succeed as he didn't move, but just as her dagger was about to taste his monstrous blood, he turned swiftly.
Like a lightning, he slipped away and before she knew it, his strong arms were around her torso and she felt the chill of the blade of her dagger on her neck. His big hand was holding hers and technically she was holding the dagger to her neck.
Did he move at the speed of light?
"Tch," he clicked his tongue sending a shiver through her spine. "I really wished you would've succeeded."
Matilda gulped. He thinks this is a game?
His warm breath was falling on the crown of her head and she could feel his steady heartbeat through her back. His voice seemed gentle.
But why do I feel scared?
"You failed," his voice was smooth with no ripples, "And now I have to live up to my name."
'Have to'
When he said that, there was a slight pain in his voice that she understood.
Matilda sniffed as tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew she is facing her end. All she worried was about how brutal her death is going to be. She has heard that he "gives" his women away for his men to have "fun" with.
She started to shiver as fear washed over her.
"Shhh...." he shushed her, gently rocking her as a mother would rock her baby to sleep. "I'll be quick, trust me."
If only you didn't try and kill me, you'd be alive somewhere... But now...
I am the Brute Emperor of Lethusia and I have to rule with an iron fist!
Matilda closed her eyes, "One day, soon...You'll kneel before the hero," she said. "And my blood will be avenged."
She felt the sting of the blade on her neck.
"I'll wait for that day..." she heard him say.
That was the last thing she heard this life.
He doesn't think this would happen? Hmpf!
That was the last thought she had.
And for her principles, she died in the warm embrace of the man she hated to her guts, imagining a fate thousand times worse than hers for him.
"You're late," Maximus turned to look at the armored man approaching him.
"I wanted to give you some alone time with your..." he looked at the lifeless woman in his embrace and sighed. "As usual?" he asked.
This is not the first woman he killed. And this is not the first woman who tried to kill him.
At least this one used a blade and fought straight... well, she tried to sneak behind his back, but she had guts.
'I made sure they were comfortable' he'd say...This bloody Brute!
"Too bad you're my King. Or else..."
Julius got the woman from his arms.
Maximus snapped his finger and lightning fell from the clouds to the balcony. In the lightning was a horse, bright as the lightning with a pair of wings. Maximus hopped on it.
"Where to?" Julius asked. "You always make me clean up your mess, alone." He was not pleased.
Those "grieving fathers" will always have an unreasonable request in exchange for their daughters' life.
In a world torn with wars and struggles for power, women are bred like cattle to be sent to the slaughterhouse when it is necessary for those who raise them.
What say do cattle have in choosing their destiny?
Pitiful beings...
Ah, why am I feeling bad for them when I am the most pitiful one?
Diplomacy is hard! Especially when you swore loyalty to the Brute.
And what's with the smile on his face? Am I seeing wrong?
"To my bride," Maximus winked.
Julius' jaw almost reached the floor.
His what?
"What's the situation in Riza?" Maximus asked.
This is another deed of his that would be a desecration to diplomacy. While accepting the peace talks with Deberia, he is laying siege to one of the prominent Duchy of Deberia in the dead of the night.
But at least that can be twisted into a narrative that fits them. The Duke of Riza didn't attend the ball tonight and that can be considered as him rebelling.
"As you ordered, we've already have laid siege to the fort. It's only a matter of time before-"
Not actually minding Julius' answer, Maximus disappeared in a flash of lightning.
-----
Felixa walked to the Drawing Room and the footman opened the big door.
A big man dressed in silk walked at a larger pace at her. His belly was so big, it was hard for him to walk and he walked with a funny limp.
"He was waiting for you this long and he left angry! Do you even realize what you've done? Stupid wench!" he raised his hand to hit her.
Felixa looked at him unwaveringly.
She glared at the man gritting his teeth at her with his hand fisted and was about to hit her.
[So this is your father, huh, Wispy? What a pathetic excuse for a man! I feel sorry for you for not having anyone who loves you around you.]
"We are under siege! It's your fault!" his lips twitched as he was mad. She didn't know what he thought but he didn't hit her.
Claude Zemfir actually didn't want to hurt her face in case the Brute changes his mind. She is the only card he can play for now.
The gemstone mines belonging to the Zemfir family are drying out and he needs to find other ways to fund their lavish life.
His useful daughter is already married and he wanted to use this useless daughter for something. He knew the Brute gives hefty compensation to the women he takes, and decided to try his luck.
Either she becomes his wife and he becomes the in-law of the Brute, or she'd get killed. If she gets killed, the compensation would be greater!
He wanted Felixa to be sent as the Bride offering, but the King wanted it to be his daughter. He thought by not going to the ball, the King would get pressurized, but it brought the Brute to his door. He still couldn't figure out how the Brute figured out he was not there.
The Brute searched for me, perhaps? Why?
And now, everything is ruined. The Brute is accusing him of rebelling because he didn't attend the ball. He tried to convince him that he wanted to make peace with him by sending his firstborn daughter to him.
But this useless wench had to be late making the Brute leave angry.
"Under siege?" Felixa mumbled.
She blanked out once more as she felt like she was sinking.
'Here,'
The man, no, an armored knight was in front of her with his helmet in one hand and a sword in the other. Her vision was still blurry but she could see bits and pieces at times. His eyes were green like an evergreen forest and his hair was blonde like a harvest-ready wheat field.
Looking at him, her spirit got raised. His presence felt like the gentle rays of the warm sun after a rainstorm.
'Don't forget your sword, Rose-Knight Alexander!'
He threw his helmet down with a playful chuckle and presented the sword to her with both hands. An armored hand got the sword from him. A group of men behind him were all chuckling and repeating 'The Rose Knight'.
Along with the happy feeling in her heart, she could feel the weight of the sword in her hand.
[Rose-Knight Alexander? Is that who I am?]